Justice News

Jury Convicts Honduran Man of Assaulting Federal Officer

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 35-year-old illegal alien from Honduras has been convicted of assaulting a U.S. Border Patrol (BP) agent, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. A federal jury returned a guilty verdict today against Hernan Cortez-Mazariegos following a one-day trial and approximately two hours of deliberations.

On Nov. 15, 2016, BP agents responded to illegal alien traffic south of the border fence near Azucena street in Brownsville. A BP agent attempted to apprehend Cortez-Mazariegos, but he fled. The agent followed and attempted to arrest him, at which time Cortez-Mazariegos struck him on the side of his face, sustaining minor injury. Cortez-Mazariegos was eventually subdued and apprehended with the assistance of another BP agent.

U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen presided over the trial and has set sentencing for Nov. 21, 2017, at which time Cortez-Mazariegos faces up to eight years in prison and a possible $250,000 fine. He will remain in custody pending that hearing.

The FBI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Coronado and Jody Young are prosecuting the case.